I met Ms. Sharon Ament,Director of the Museum of London, while at a conference in the city of Barcelona this past May. I was immediately drawn to her persona, the humility in her words as well as her willingness to answer all of my (many) questions on the institution she leads, the Museum of London, which tells the story of London from 450,000 years BC to the present day.

Ms. Sharon Ament, Director of the Museum of London

Within its vast collection the museum looks after approximately: 22,000 items of clothing and fashion, over 500,000 paintings, prints and photographs of London, 20,000 excavated skeletons and almost 2,000 life stories of individual Londoners.

The institution is divided into different branches: the Museum of London itself, in central London; the Archaeological Archive in Hackney, which includes the Centre for Human Bioarchaeology; the Museum of London Docklands, located by the River Thames, which houses their port and river collection.

The museum could not be more relevant in the context of London and the surrounding areas: from its prehistoric collection, showcasing the variety and sophistication of life in the ancient London area, to its Roman collection, which includes over 47,000 objects, it is an incredible learning center for those of you wishing to know more about the city’s history and roots.

The museum also holds works by major artists, as well as a wealth of images that reveal the topographical, social and artistic life of London from the 16th century to the present. For instance, the Port and River archive tells the story of the formation and development of what was once the world’s greatest port, the Port of London.

The museum offers school and education programs for children, from specially-designed interactive children’s galleries to free activities and stimulating online games. It is also known for leading university learning, teaching and research, offering support to London’s non-national museums through its Arts Council England funded programmes.

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